subject: Disability Nondiscrimination Tool: US Department of Labor [print this page] Disability Nondiscrimination Tool: US Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has launched the Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor tool. This tool has beencreated to help employers determinethe federal disability nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to their organization. Depending on state location, company size and business sector, different laws apply. Understanding an employer's responsibilities under these laws assists companies in establishing corporate policies that refrain from discriminating against qualified job candidates who have disabilities.
In a DOL press release regarding the Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor tool, Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, said "today, we made it easier for employers of all sizes to access the talents of the 36 million Americans with disabilities."
The Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor tool is easy to navigate. This tool is a great resource to consult during policy development and internal investigations. After answering a few simple "yes" or "no" questions related to one's company and selecting the state in which the company operates, a results page is generated containing the laws applicable to the company. The results page also lists links to othersources of informationrelated to hiring and employing individuals with disabilities. Compiling all of the nondiscrimination laws into a single resource reduces the time spent searching for information.
The announcement of the Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor inthe DOLpress release states:
"Employees, job applicants, applicants for/or participants in programs that receive federal financial assistance, and individuals receiving services from public entities may also find this Advisor helpful to learn more about their rights under these federal disability nondiscrimination laws."
The US DOL stated the laws addressed by the Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor include:
Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (as it pertains to federal financial assistance)
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended
The US DOLhasalsocompiled a list of the laws not included in theDisability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor:
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which applies to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and examinations and courses related to applications, licensing, certification, or credentialing for secondary or postsecondary education, professional, or trade purposes. Information regarding Title III and its requirements can be found on the Department of Justice's ADA Web site.
Workers' compensation laws. Information regarding federal workers' compensation laws can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) Web site.
State and local disability nondiscrimination laws. State and local laws may have different and/or additional requirements from the federal laws covered by this Advisor. You are encouraged to check the pertinent State and local laws applicable to your specific situation.
Federal Government employees in the US will have to seek advice from sources such as the EEOC and the Office of Personnel Management, as the acts specific to these employees are not included in the DOL tool.
